Joey Barton In Talks With QPR Over Free Transfer From Newcastle United

Having been put up for sale for the whopping price of exactly no pennies two weeks ago by Newcastle United, 28 year old midfielder Joey Barton is today discussing personal terms with Queens Park Rangers over a proposed move to the newly promoted Premier League club. Despite being a key figure in both of Newcastle's opening fixtures against Arsenal and Sunderland and being signalled as an important man for the season by manager Alan Pardew, owner Mike Ashley is seemingly sticking by his guns and is allowing the player to leave for nothing to anyone who would be willing to take him. So far, QPR are the only club to have confirmed an interest in taking Barton away from Newcastle where he has one left year on his contract and it seems obvious that if they are willing to offer him the kind of deal Kevin Nolan got at West Ham (i.e. same 55k a week he is earning now but with a bumper 4 or 5 year deal) then he will take it and move to the London club. However, if QPR are only willing to offer him a 2 or maybe even 3 year deal and less money... then there is no chance of the deal going through. Barton knows this is his last big chance at a bumper pay deal that will secure his footballing career until his twilight seasons and he won't settle for just getting out of Newcastle when he could negotiate a similar move for himself next summer on a Bosman. It's all going to come down to money and length of contract and that will determine whether Joey leaves. QPR have been looking to strengthen their midfield over the past week and have seen a £4 million offer for Scott Parker already rejected by his club West Ham. A move for Joey Barton would bring with it no up front fee and similar wages for a player a few years younger... but he doesn't half come with some baggage! Newcastle meanwhile are preparing for their Thursday night Carling Cup 2nd round fixture against Scunthorpe where Pardew had already ruled out Barton from participating because of a foot injury... but he was expected to be fit for Sunday's Premier League home tie against Fulham. IF of course, he is still a Newcastle player.